The ride back to the village was short. It seemed as though I had walked for days, yet, we were only in the carriage for a short number of hours. When we got to the town square people were screaming profanities at me. Calling me witch, murderer, slut, and other names. I couldn't see Adam any where, which made me glad. Knowing that he had escaped this damned place, knowing he wont have to watch me hanged, was one of the most comforting thoughts. I'm glad I made him stay, because if he were caught with me at the boarding house, he would be in the same situation as me right now. I could not live with myself if that's what it had come to. The carriage pulled up next to the jail house, where sheriffs were waiting along with an executioner. They wanted to make sure the witch is dead before they bury her 6 feet under. They brought me out and people were still screaming. I was set on a pedestal in the front of the whole town to see, as they read what was about to come.
"Isabella Reed, you are charged with the murder of your mother. You will be hanged at sundown tonight. Any last requests will be made to your caregiver as he has so kindly voulenteered. Adam King will make sure your funeral arangements are taken care of. Unfortunately for you, Adam has not shown up for the past day, so we hope you have no requests as we can not take care of them. You are to see your sibling and let them know what you did to your dear mother. Do you ave any questions?" He said, stepping in front of me. I squinted my eyes to look at him, them spat on his shoes.
"Very well. Take her to the cell." He called. Two very large men grabbed my wrist and pulled me away.
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It was noon. 4 more hours and I will be long gone. Which I guess is a god thing considering they hate me here. I hope they know the feeling is mutual.
"Ms. Reed, you have a visitor." a sheriff said.
"Oh my god Isabella, What have they done to you?" Adam asked, stroking the fresh bruise over my eye. Little did he know, there were others.
"It's nothing. Dont worry about it." I shrugged
"It's not nothing. Listen, I'm going to get you out of here. Ive come up with a plan, but I need you to go along with it." He smiled michevioulsy and began to tell it to me.
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The time was now. If everything went according to plan, I would be somewhat free. Under a simple probation, but free. Adam had charmed his way to get me a hearing in front of a judge. Which wasn't hard considering the judge was his uncle.
Only a handfull of people showed up, one of which being Georgia. She was here to watch me die. Or so she thought.
"Please Uncle, you have to forgive this poor girls for what has been brought upon her." Adam said, motioning towards me, "She did none of which has been stated. She was with me the whole night."
"Do you have proof or witnesses?" He asked
"I have proof. The night that Elizabeth Reed was killed, I was with Isabella at the well. I had brought her to my house and she ate supper with me. It was then she told me she was running away. She couldn't live this life of abuse from her mother. For she is..." he paused to let the jury take in all that happened before continuing, "She is pregnant." Everybody gasped at the thought of the witch bearing somebodies child.
"Who is the father?" One of the jury memebers asked. Adam looked towards me and winked. Everything was going perfectly.
"I am." Adam said. A woman fainted in the audience. Everybody was on the edge of their seat. Of course I'm not pregnant, but whats a little fib.
"Is this true?" The judge asked me
"It is. And I ask of you to spare mine and my- our unborn child's life." I cried
After a painful 3 minutes the jury had decided.
"Judge, we have decided that Isabella Reed is not guilty."One of them said. People erupted into terrified chatter. The judge hit the table and everybody quieted down.
"Please take the shackles off of Isabella. We are going to put you under probation with Adam King. We are done here. Thank you." somebody pulled them off my wrists and I ran towards Adam. The plan had worked, and I was free to live my life with him.
